Matthew 18:1
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Right after Jesus speaks of his coming sufferings and Peter's special honor, the disciples immediately ask, "Who is the greatest?" This reveals how quickly their minds could shift from deep spiritual truths to earthly ambition and personal status, even when Jesus had just spoken of heavenly matters. Their question wasn't just about who would be important, but who would hold the highest rank and power in the kingdom they still imagined as a political one.
Just after Jesus spoke about his impending suffering and death, his disciples started arguing amongst themselves about who would be the most important in his kingdom. This ambition fueled their question to Jesus, revealing their misunderstanding of his kingdom as a worldly, political power rather than a spiritual reality.
Right after Jesus spoke about His suffering and glory, the disciples asked something else entirely. What does this tell us about their focus?
The disciples approached Jesus "at that time," a phrase that places their question immediately after Jesus' profound words about His future suffering and resurrection, and Peter's special encounter with Jesus regarding the temple tax. Despite these weighty matters, their minds were fixed on earthly power and status. They were still envisioning a political kingdom and jockeying for positions within it, rather than grasping the spiritual nature of Jesus' mission.
This shows a common human tendency: even when confronted with divine truth and the reality of sacrifice, our minds can drift towards personal ambition and worldly recognition.
What did the disciples mean by 'greatest' in the kingdom of heaven? It wasn't what Jesus had in mind.
The disciples' question, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" was fueled by their expectation of a worldly, political kingdom. They were thinking in terms of hierarchy, power, and earthly honor, perhaps envisioning themselves as ministers of state or prominent figures in a restored Israel.
This ambition was deeply ingrained, possibly sparked by recent events like Peter's special encounter with Jesus or the Transfiguration involving Peter, James, and John. They were asking, "Who gets the top jobs? Who will be the VIPs?" They couldn't grasp that Jesus' kingdom operates on entirely different principles.
Understand the original words
mathētai · Greek Noun
A student or follower of a teacher; in the New Testament, it refers specifically to those who follow Jesus Christ, observing his teachings and life.
basileia tōn ouranōn · Greek Noun
The rule, reign, or sovereign authority of God, both in the present spiritual sense and in the future eschatological sense; it represents the realm where God's will is perfectly done.
The disciples' question about greatness arises directly from their worldly expectations of Jesus' kingdom and their observations of His specific interactions with Peter and the inner circle. They were grappling with status and hierarchy, missing the humble, servant-hearted nature of God's reign.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus begins his public ministry, calling disciples and teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven. The disciples witness Jesus' miracles and teachings, fueling their anticipation of a coming earthly kingdom.
c. AD 30
Transfiguration Event
Peter, James, and John witness Jesus' glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. This special honor for a select few likely intensified the disciples' questions about status and leadership.
c. AD 30— this verse
Peter Pays Temple Tax
Jesus instructs Peter to retrieve a coin from a fish's mouth to pay the temple tax. This event, occurring just before their dispute, highlights Peter's unique interaction with Jesus and may have sparked the disciples' envy.
c. AD 30
Disciples Dispute Status on the Road
On their journey, the disciples debate amongst themselves who is the greatest among them. Jesus overhears their discussion and uses it as a teaching moment.
This passage immediately precedes Matthew's account and shows Jesus directly addressing the disciples' dispute about who was the greatest by using a child as an example.
Luke 9:46-48Luke also records this incident, highlighting that Jesus perceived the 'thought of their heart' and then used a child to teach about humility and greatness in the kingdom.
Matthew 20:20-28This later interaction shows the mother of James and John asking for her sons to have the highest positions, revealing that the desire for preeminence in the kingdom persisted, and Jesus redirects them to a servant-hearted model.
Philippians 2:3-11This passage speaks directly to the disciples' ambition by contrasting worldly notions of greatness with the ultimate example of Christ, who, though divine, emptied himself and took the form of a servant.
vincentMatthew 18:1: "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
The Rev. inserts then after who, thus restoring the Greek ἄρα, which the A. V. overlooks. Who then? Who, as things stand. Since one of our number has been doubly honored in being called "the rock," and in being appointed to take part in a special miracle, who then is greatest?
barnesMatthew 18:1: "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
See also Mark 9:33-41 ; Luke 9:46-50 . Who is the greatest in the kingdom, of heaven? - By the kingdom of heaven they meant the kingdom which they supposed he was about to set up - his kingdom as the Messiah. They asked the question because they supposed, in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great splendor, and…
Right after Jesus speaks of his coming sufferings and Peter's special honor, the disciples immediately ask, "Who is the greatest?" This reveals how quickly their minds could shift from deep spiritual truths to earthly ambition and personal status, even when Jesus had just spoken of heavenly matters. Their question wasn't just about who would be important, but who would hold the highest rank and power in the kingdom they still imagined as a political one.
Just after Jesus spoke about his impending suffering and death, his disciples started arguing amongst themselves about who would be the most important in his kingdom. This ambition fueled their question to Jesus, revealing their misunderstanding of his kingdom as a worldly, political power rather than a spiritual reality.
Just after Jesus spoke about his impending suffering and death, his disciples started arguing amongst themselves about who would be the most important in his kingdom. This ambition fueled their question to Jesus, revealing their misunderstanding of his kingdom as a worldly, political power rather than a spiritual reality.
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"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”" — Right after Jesus speaks of his coming sufferings and Peter's special honor, the disciples immediately ask, "Who is the greatest?" This reveals how quickly their minds could shift from deep spiritual…
